#kulo seeri: r1

[equinoxts2]

Sena Yuleng, I’m enjoying this first rotation more than any others I’ve played! Taking ACR out of the mix is one of the best simming decisions this easily unsettled aroace ever made.

I never actually knew how much it was holding me back - I can finally enjoy creating cultural aspects and festivals and stuff without all that romance nonsense getting in the way, and focus on types of drama I can actually handle. I can also make relationships and partnerships work in a way my autistic brain can comprehend.

Added Bonus: fewer mod conflicts! This has to be the lowest number my heavily modded game has ever had.

Another Bonus: I’m actually thinking more creatively about the stories and culture of my sims now that I’m not constantly squicked out by PDAs. I have decided that ACR actually stands for Aroace Creativity Repellent. Why didn’t I think of this sooner?!

[equinoxts2]

And we’re back!

Everyone’s been moved into their newly rebuilt lots, and the first rotation is over. Gameplay posts will start with Rotation 2, in autumn of year 2 NSR. Here’s a summary of the storylines that got started in Rotation 1:

Arafa zan-Carmela, chief elder and best friend of the headwoman, randomly kissed her son-in-law Dill at the village centre in front of half the tribe.

Given her age and status, she can get away with it, but her twin grandchildren were utterly embarrassed about Revered Grandmother acting like a Teal Camper.

This random dude (who prompted me to add a no garden club mod) has been seen wandering around the territory. No one is quite sure why he’s hanging around, myself included. His name is South Luck (long story) and I feel like I need to write him into the story, but he hasn’t done much yet.

Zera sho-Ku of the Vedraloga went out to gather branches for firewood, and somehow managed to break the Nuidya tree-chopping taboo in the process. That’s one less perfectly good tree standing in the village centre. Note to self: check which option you’re clicking.

Her commanding officer/high priestess, Briar zan-Tia, really chewed her out over it. Between this and last build’s fling with Chase sho-Carmela, Zera is facing expulsion from the Vedraloga this rotation.

She was so unimpressed that her teeth poked through her chin like a toddler crying to be let out of a crib.

Hudana zan-Avira, Headwoman Etan’s half-brother, has been starting a lot of fights - always with the more mild-mannered guys of the tribe, none of whom would start fights of their own accord. The council is discussing punishments.

Lark zan-Ace was declared arkal (servant status) and sent to work for the new zan-Ave matriarch, Tetali, as punishment for causing the death of her own mother in hopes of leading her clan. Her first day on the job, she started an affair with her employer’s husband Demetrius.

Finally, we have a first kiss between Busuteta zan-Ku and Tabiltamyuli mi-Avira, who is the headwoman’s daughter, five moons younger than Busuteta, and, unlike him, hasn’t gone through the rites of adulthood yet.

Busuteta then decideed it was a great idea to tell his betrothed Tiozura all about it. I’m not sure if it was a boast or a confession, but Tiozura really needs to put her foot down either way. :)

[equinoxts2]

While Etan and Sparrow argue over the love note, Zera greets another “coincidental” walkby, Shazia zan-Ave. Shazia, daughter of Vedrafe (who the Vedraloga are named for) is the last of her clan, but would much rather be a Vedraloga herself than continue the zan-Ave line. She’s been conflicted over it all for moons - after all, zan-Ave is one of the core clans.

Tegan returns from her solo hunting trip with two ducks and a boar. Butchering kills is men’s work, so Tegan calls one of the better butchers in Kulo Seeri, Chase sho-Carmela, to the Vedraloga tents to pick up the critters. And... what was that I said about Sparrow attempting to break the order’s vow of no ACR?!?

Briar gives Zera a stern talking to. She wonders if Tegan is the only reliable member of her group - Zera was supposed to be the disciplined one, and she had no problem with Chase kissing her. Shazia: Please, ancestors, release me from all this core clan nonsense so I can join up! I’d have no problem with celibacy, and anyway Vedraloga life looks a lot more dramatic than motherhood...

[equinoxts2]

Time to start posting Kulo Seeri gameplay! I started my first official rotation in the Vedraloga household. Just to recap on my worldbuilder rambling posts, the Vedraloga (”followers of Vedrafe”) are a warrior sisterhood devoted to Vedrafe zan-Ave, Nuidya patron ancestor of battle and victory. Since Vedrafe died as a result of marriage and parenthood, her devotees are the only Nuidya who are absolutely required to steer clear of men and all that ACR business.

Briar zan-Tia (second from left) is the leader of the Vedraloga - a role that is somewhere between “high priestess” and “commanding officer”. She returned to Kulo Seeri after spending a few years away, and now holds the responsibility of keeping the three younger members in line. Headwoman Etan looks to her to protect the Nuidya territory.

Sparrow zan-Ace (second from right) is the second most senior member of the group, though still rather stubborn and childish. No one is quite sure why she joined up - she’s not the most reliable sim, and it’s common knowledge that she has a crush on the headwoman - but there’s no denying she’s useful to have around when a raiding party is spotted.

Tegan sho-Ace (left) is one of three voidlings - the Seeriverse high-fantasy equivalent of alien offspring - born to Sparrow’s brother’s boyfriend Calvin before his death, and also one of the few sims her “aunt” Sparrow gets along with. Of all the Vedraloga, she’s easily the best with a bow and probably the least socially awkward too.

Zera sho-Ku (right) is the youngest of the four, and the newest recruit - but has taken to the Vedraloga life better than any of the others, except maybe Briar herself. She has a lot of self-discipline and determination, and unlike Tegan, didn’t join up solely to escape the stigma that surrounds mpreg offspring.

They had a pretty eventful day - can’t wait to share it!

[equinoxts2]

Sparrow is midway though cleaning the camp when she spots her older brother Caleb, one of the village elders, walking past. She goes to greet him, but he turns down a friendly hug and is not at all impressed by her boasting. As a Vedraloga, his baby sister isn’t even supposed to be sending love notes to the headwoman! Then...

Caleb: “Hello, Etan!” Sparrow: “You really think I’m going to fall for...” ...... Sparrow: “Oh. Hello, Etan...”

[equinoxts2]

It doesn’t take Sparrow long to figure out that she has the place to herself. Excited at the thought of some alone time with Headwoman Etan, she heads to the kitchen tent to compose a note asking her to come over.

Etan, however, doesn’t seem remotely interested in helping a troublesome Vedraloga break her vow of chastity. Guess it’s time for Sparrow to start in on that cleaning duty?

[equinoxts2]

Briar is barely out of bed when she finds herself dealing with tentmate drama. Sparrow, who she shares her sleeping tent with, starts insulting her  - a fairly standard Sparrow thing to so, but this time she seems to be challenging Briar’s leadership of the Vedraloga.

Well, if Briar stood for this kind of disrespect, she wouldn’t be leader for long. She informs Sparrow that she’s on cleaning duty today, and won’t be going out hunting with Tegan, before heading off on the morning patrol with Zera.

“I’m sorry,” Tegan whispers to Sparrow, but as she grabs a spear and heads for the forest, she’s wishing her “aunt” was at least a little less hot-headed.